Counterterrorism

Brussels Attacks 'Amateurish', Not Revenge for Abdeslam - Terrorism Expert

The Brussels bomb attacks were "brought forward" and the terrorists used "softer targets" which were not revenge attacks for the capture of Europe's most wanted man, Salah Abdeslam, a terrorism expert has told Sputnik.

"I don't think it was a revenge attack for the arrest of Salah Abdeslam," Professor Paul Moorcraft said.

Salah Abdeslam was arrested in Brussels on suspicion of being a key member of the terrorist group who attacked Paris in November 2015.

"I think it was probably some of the leaders — who are very able and professional people — and often smarter than western intelligence officials, who decided that if Salah Abdeslam was singing like a canary, then they had to bring their attacks forward, that's why they had softer targets."